The 7 Habits of Highly-Successful Volunteers

And why you want them on your team!

As an organization that depends on volunteers to support your cause and carry out your fundraising activities, you know how important these folks are to success. But finding enthusiastic volunteers who are highly effective is not always easy. And settling for anything less can be detrimental to your organization. The good news is that amazing volunteers do exist—you just need to know what to look for:

1. High energy

You know these people—they’re the ones who get a task and just take off. They’re driven, full of energy, and give every project maximum effort no matter its scale.

2. Passion

The best volunteers are the ones who are passionate about your cause (or any cause they take on). And their devotion is not only evident, it’s infectious. So they’re not only motivated, they inspire others by sharing their passion.

3. They’re creative thinkers

Finding new ways to do old things takes out-of-the-box thinkers and the most successful volunteers always have an idea or solution or are willing to try something new. When it comes to fundraising, the more creative your team is, the better your results will be.

4. They’re dependable

Seems obvious, but when you think about how many times you’ve held a meeting or an event where only a handful of volunteers (even though many sign up) show up, you know how important it is to have people you can count on. Your best volunteers are the ones who are always there when they say they will be and are ready to hit the ground running.

5. They’re team players

Volunteering itself often requires the ability to work well with others and to understand the value and necessity of teamwork. The top volunteers in any organization are the ones that are not only team players, but can rally others to work harder. They’re the folks that are friendly, approachable, and able to listen to other’s point of view—while contributing their talents and skills without stepping on anyone’s toes.

6. They’re committed

Passion, energy, and commitment often go hand-in-hand. To be successful, volunteers must possess all of these qualities and be willing to continue their efforts for the long haul. You know who they are—the individuals that show up day after day for months or even years to support your organization and are always happy and enthusiastic to be there.

7. They’re trustworthy

If you’re running a fundraiser and are collecting money and distributing products, it only makes sense that you’d want sellers who can be trusted. But you also want people on board who can be trusted with your organization’s reputation, because they are the face of your cause. The most amazing volunteers exude credibility and are trusted by you and your supporters.

Every group that relies on the help of its members and volunteers knows how critical it is to have people you can depend on. Whether you’re planning an event or are knee-deep in a fundraiser, these are the folks that can make or break your efforts. Make sure you choose wisely by reviewing the habits of the most successful volunteers.

When you’re ready to plan out your next fundraiser, turn to us. Super Fan is the only company that offers officially licensed merchandise from the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, and colleges around the country. We make it easy for your volunteers to sell by providing the products your supporters can’t wait to buy! Call us at 855-602-7990 to get started.